The third attempt to get Hassocks’ Southern Combination League Premier Division clash with Little Common played will now take place in the new year.
Russel Eldridge will bring his side to the Beacon on Tuesday 14th January following the fixture’s postponement for a second time at the end of November.
The game had originally been scheduled to take place on Saturday 2nd November but the biblical rainfall that battered Sussex all week in the run up to that meant it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The tie was then rearranged for Tuesday 26th November but again, water weather flooded the Beacon playing surface with the match being postponed some nine hours before kick off.
Common are so far enjoying what is only their second ever season of Premier Division football. They had a solid debut campaign last time out, never really being dragged into the dogfight and eventually finishing in 16th spot, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Player-manager Eldridge will be keen for progress to be made in 2019-20 and they’re going reasonably well so far, sitting in 11th spot with six wins from 16 games coming against Lingfield, Horsham YMCA, Saltdean United, Loxwood, Broadbridge Heath and Pagham.
They also claimed the notable FA Cup scalp of Isthmian League side Three Bridges on a run to the first qualifying round of the competition, their best ever performance. All this continues a remarkable upward journey for a club who were playing in the East Sussex League as recently as 2004.
Over the past 15 years, they’ve climbed three divisions through the Southern Combination League and are no beginning to establish themselves as a Premier Division club.
Hassocks took just one point off them last season, a 1-1 draw at the Beacon thanks to Liam Benson’s late leveller following on from a 4-2 defeat at the Oval in which Hassocks were 4-0 behind with an hour played.
The new date gives Hassocks back-to-back home games in the second week of 2020; the visit of Common being followed a week later by league leaders Eastbourne Town’s trip to the Beacon.
The Robins are still awaiting confirmation of when the first ever trip to Alfold will take place. That game has also been postponed twice with no new date yet set, although it is almost certain to be in the new year.
